1938 United States Senate elections

Retirements One Democrat retired instead of seeking re-election, one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and one Democrat retired instead of seeking election to finish the unexpired term and election to a full term. Defeats Seven Democrats sought re-election but lost in the primary or general election. One Democrat sought election to a full term but lost in the primary election and one Democrat sought election to finish the unexpired term but lost in the primary election. Death One Democrat died on June 17, 1938, and his seat remained vacant until the election. Post-election changes ==Change in composition==

Before the elections Result of the elections ==Race summaries==

Special elections during the 75th Congress In these special elections, the winner was seated during 1938 or before January 3, 1939; ordered by election date. Races leading to the 76th Congress In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning January 3, 1939; ordered by state. All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats. == Closest races ==

Thirteen races had a margin of victory under 10%: There is no tipping point state. == Alabama ==

There were 2 elections due to the August 19, 1937, resignation of two-term Democrat Hugo Black. Democrat Dixie Bibb Graves was appointed August 20, 1937 (by her husband, the governor) to finish Black's term. Alabama (special) After congressman J. Lister Hill won the January 4, 1938, Democratic primary, Graves resigned and Hill was appointed to continue the term until the April 26, 1938, special election, which he won unopposed. Hill was then easily re-elected in November to the next term. Alabama (regular) == Arizona ==

Incumbent Democrat Carl Hayden was re-elected to a third term, defeating Republican nominee Burt H. Clingan, chairman of the Arizona Industrial Commission, in the general election. In contrast to previous elections, Hayden was easily reelected, receiving only token opposition from a relatively unknown Republican challenger. == Arkansas ==

Incumbent Democrat William H. Dieterich retired, making this an open-seat. == Indiana ==

This is the last time that a Senator from Kansas lost re-election. Republicans have not lost a Senate election in the state since. == Kentucky ==

There were 2 elections due to the June 17, 1938, death of three-term Democrat Royal S. Copeland. New York (regular) New York Republicans nominated John Lord O'Brian for the U.S. Senate. Democrats re-nominated the incumbent Wagner. The American Labor Party endorsed Wagner. New York (special) New York Republicans nominated Edward Corsi for the short term to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Royal S. Copeland. Democrats nominated James M. Mead. The American Labor party endorsed Mead. == North Carolina ==

There were 2 elections for the same seat, due to the January 31, 1938, resignation of two-term Republican Frederick Steiwer. Democratic businessman Alfred E. Reames was appointed February 1, 1938, to continue the term, pending a special election, but he did not run in either the special or the general elections. Oregon (special) Republican Alexander G. Barry was elected to finish the term, but was not a candidate for the next term. Oregon (regular) == Pennsylvania ==

There were 2 elections for the same seat due to the December 20, 1936, death of three-term Republican Peter Norbeck. Democrat Herbert Hitchcock was appointed December 29, 1936, to continue the term, pending a special election. South Dakota (special) South Dakota (regular) Hitchcock lost the Democratic May 3, 1938, primary for the next term to Governor of South Dakota Tom Berry. == Tennessee (special) ==